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Sweden · Religion & Belief · Hard
The medieval practice of eating 'korp' (raven) during Lent in early Christian Sweden was based on what theological loophole?
Answer: Ravens were considered fish-like because their young were believed to hatch from eggs without being brooded — Medieval Swedish Christians exploited a creative loophole — reasoning that ravens, like fish, were 'cold-blooded' enough to qualify as Lenten fasting food.
- A Ravens were classified as a type of goose
- B The pope granted an exemption for northern countries
- C Ravens were considered fish-like because their young were believed to hatch from eggs without being brooded ✓
- D Only river ravens were considered acceptable
Medieval Swedish Christians exploited a creative loophole — reasoning that ravens, like fish, were 'cold-blooded' enough to qualify as Lenten fasting food.